Energy supplier help

[oldernotwiserffs]

Hi ladies, I wonder if anyone can help me - my dad usually supports with this sort of stuff but he is unwell atm.

I rented my house out in august last year as I moved in with my partner. I closed my account with British Gas so my tenant could set up her own energy bill account. At the time, I was paying a low fixed rate.

Unfortunately it didn't work out between my partner and I and I will be moving back into my house at the end of the month so need to sort out a new supplier.

What is the deal with this now? Is it better to go fixed or variable? Any recommendations for providers? I've heard good things about Octopus but I don't really know what I'm looking for.

If you choose Octopus remember to get a referral link so you and the person whose link you use both get a £50 credit to their accounts. I have fixed with Octopus as the price cap was due to go up a couple of months later.

I just looked at money saving expert's tool and edf energy is coming out as the cheapest at £85 per month. I was paying £69 per month with British Gas. Do you think it would be possible to get it cheaper? I really don't use that much

Would British Gas take me back seeing as I had been with them for over 3 years prior?

Is it better to be fixed or variable atm?

You'll be able to be a customer with British Gas again but it'll be at the current rates.
If EDF is coming out the cheapest then I'd go with them.

I've fixed with Octopus for 12 months

And don't forget the amounts quoted aren't fixed and are just indicative for some sort of estimated usage (based on what you've told them) - use less your bill will be less, use more and your bill will be higher

It's so expensive - British Gas is coming out as double what I was paying before!

Do I switch on the day I move back?

The monthly amount isn't the fixed part. It's the underlying price per kwh and standing charge that is fixed so if you use more you will pay more. If you end up using less than £85 per month then you would be able to reduce your monthly payment

When you move back in you would still be with the current supplier for the property and would initiate the switch with the supplier you want to change to. The new supplier will sort the switch for you and will ask for meter readings so that the outstanding balance can be paid to the current supplier and they have the correct starting readings.

When you are doing the price comparison what are you putting in for your usage? You would usually put in how many kwh you use per year and that gives the most reliable comparison.

@dementedpixie thank you so much for explaining. When I do the calculation I just choose the 'flat/small house' option as a guide to my usage. I have no idea what my usage per year would be tbh although I know it is low

What does variable actually mean? I've only ever been on a fixed one before

And if EDF have the cheapest deal atm why do people go with more expensive providers?

You can just look online and see who is currently supplying the property and go with them under a no contract basis too whilst you decide.

Variable means that if the price cap for the rate per kwh/standing charge goes up/down then the price you pay will change too. If you fix your rate the price per kwh/standing charge will stay the same even if the price cap changes

Maybe edf has worse customer service. Maybe they offer a low monthly payment to start with but that may not cover your usage so might need to pay more later. Look at the actual prices rather than monthly payment

EDF may not be the cheapest, they’re just quoting you the lowest monthly payment, which is really just a contribution into a pot which pays for your energy consumption. They may be underquoting to reel you in. There are no shortcuts here; compare the unit rates and standing charges, not the monthly quotes.

Octopus are really good. We are on a fixed tariff with them but there’s no exit fee (very rare for fixed tariffs) so we can switch back to variable if needed.

You can arrange for them to switch you on the day you move in.

I’m not going to comment on whether it’s really the cheapest as others have explained that. I like Octopus because their bills are really clear and easy to understand, and their customer service is amazing - they answer emails very quickly.

BG are hopeless, Octopus are amazing

Thanks everyone, lots of recommendations for Octopus so I will do a little more research but am leaning towards going with them. Thanks again!

Make sure you ask around for a referral code as you’ll get £50 off.